KR100304021B1 - Method and system for loading and playback adapters that enables playback of reduced-size CDs on full-size CD players - Google Patents

Abstract

The shipping and playing adapter according to the present invention allows playing a small CD in a standard CD player. The adapter is comprised of materials suitable for playing in a CD player and includes substantially semicircular first and second portions. When the first and second portions are joined together, they form a disk for receiving a small CD on both the joined portions, which are about the same size as a standard CD. The first and second parts may be permanently attached along the fold line or detachably joined by the coupling of male and female parts. The combined first and second portions may have an inner circular surface for receiving a compact CD. The circular surface may be coated with a permanent adhesive or a temporary adhesive. Alternatively, the first and second portions can have a center cut-out for receiving a small CD therein.

Description

Method and system for loading / playback adapter that enables playback of small CDs in standard CD players

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to compact discs, and more particularly to a method and system for a load / play adapter that enables reduced size CD playback in a full-sized CD player.

The use of compact digital discs (hereinafter referred to as "CDs") is rapidly increasing in all areas, from audio to computer software and video. Like all electronic and computer devices, CDs are getting smaller and smaller. Conventional CD players used for audio and computer software are designed for CDs that are 4.75 inches in diameter. In a conventional CD player, a CD is pushed into a slot or placed on a tray. The tray is sized to hold the CD so that it does not move excessively in the lateral direction rather than in the direction of rotation, ie slightly larger than 4.75 inches in diameter. Therefore, if the player is not tilted or flipped sideways, the player can safely play a 4.75 inch CD. When the player is in "play" mode, the spindle is raised to the inner edge of the CD and the CD is played by rotating the CD by holding the inner edge of the CD through the inner center hole.

If the CD is smaller than the standard diameter of 4.75 inches, there is no support to keep the CD in place so that the spindle rises for CD playback and engages with the center hole. Some CD players using a tray have a smaller concave area in the tray, which can accommodate and play smaller CDs (e.g., 3.25 inches in diameter). However, a CD player having a concave area for smaller diameter CDs will only operate safely if the player has placed the CD so that the top of the CD is upside down and has a proper horizontal orientation. If the player moves to position the CD vertically or horizontally upside down, the CD may not be able to maintain a position where accurate playback can be achieved. This may distort playback or damage the CD and / or CD player. For a 4.75-inch CD player that uses an insertion slot, it is not possible to safely play a 3.25-inch CD.

Another solution to CDs with different diameters is to use a center gripping spindle as seen in the CD player used in the IBM Thinkpad 760EL. In this type of player, the CD is engaged on the center gripping spindle which is fixed in the raised position. Therefore, the CD can be safely played regardless of the diameter of the CD and the orientation of the player.

Many games are stored on CDs and played on a computer. It is common to sell CDs in books describing games. The size of the book should be able to accommodate the size of the CD. At the price of printing large books for 4.75 inch CDs, you can almost double the size of books for 3.25 inch CDs. Unfortunately, since most CD players are 4.75-inch players, you'll need to use large books to protect large CDs (4.75-inch). The cost savings of selling a 4.75-inch CD in a small book is the same as the cost of using a large book, but the CD is much more likely to be damaged. Another alternative is to sell a small CD (3.25 inches) in a small book and ask the buyer to request an adapter in the mail. However, it is evident that this alternative adds cost to game makers and certainly reduces customer satisfaction due to the length of time the adapter waits for arrival.

Since CD players and CD sizes come in a variety of different types, there is a need for a method and system for a load / play adapter that enables compact CD playback in a standard CD player.

The present invention considerably eliminates the problems associated with the prior art and includes a method and apparatus suitable for loading and playing small CDs on a standard CD player. The present invention saves money by allowing smaller CDs to be loaded by the customer and playable in any standard CD player.

According to one feature of the present invention, the loading / playing adapter enables playback of a small CD in a standard CD player. In addition, the adapter of the present invention can be loaded in a smaller form than a standard CD with a small CD. The adapter consists of a material that can be inserted into a CD player and includes substantially semicircular first and second portions. The combined size of the first and second parts is about the same as a standard CD. The first portion and the second portion combine with each other to form a disc for accommodating a small CD and playing it in a standard CD player. The adapter also includes means for arranging the first portion and the second portion so as to load the compact CD, wherein the means for arranging the first and second portions along the fold line between the first portion and the second portion. Folding means. When the first and second portions and the small CD are arranged by the disposing means, the size becomes smaller than the standard CD. The first and second portions may be permanently attached along the fold line, or may be detachably attached by engagement of the male and female portions. The first and second portions can be combined to have an inner circular surface for receiving a compact CD. The circular surface may be coated with a permanent adhesive or a temporary adhesive. Alternatively, the first and second portions may have a center cut-out for receiving a small CD therein.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention can be more clearly understood with reference to the following detailed description, claims and accompanying drawings.

1A illustrates an unfolded adapter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

1B is a perspective view of a partially overlapped loading and reproducing adapter according to the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

2 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a fully overlapping direction;

3 shows a stacking form of a stacking and regenerating adapter according to the invention.

4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cutaway perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 with a small diameter CD inserted therein; FIG.

8 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10, 40, 60, 80: adapter

12: inner circular surface

14, 44: center hole

16, 46, 66: fold lines

18: small CD

20 read / write side

48, 68: cut-out

62: Removable Adhesive Strip

64: circumferential wall

82: first half

84, 90 male part

86, 92: female part

88: second half

1A shows a top view of a loading / reproducing adapter 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The adapter 10 is made of a material that has sufficient radial strength to support the CD but is flexible enough to bend as needed for loading the CD. As such a material, the plastic of category type HDPE # 2 is mentioned, for example. The diameter of the adapter 10 is equal to the diameter of a standard CD (typically 4.75 inches), and the adapter 10 includes an inner circular surface 12 whose diameter is equal to the diameter of a small CD (typically 3.25 inches). The center hole 14 is provided for engagement by the CD player spindle. The fold line 16 may be cut or otherwise formed in the adapter 10, in which case the adapter 10 may be folded in half along this fold line 16.

The inner circular surface 12 is coated with an adhesive to bite and hold a small diameter CD. The adhesive may be moisture activated, covered with a removable film, or any other suitable method that allows for attachment of the CD by the end user after loading. The adhesive can also be permanent or in a manner that allows for repeated removal and reattachment of the CD. The CD is placed on the adhesive on the inner circular surface 12 with the playing / reading side facing outward. The adapter 10 and the CD attached thereto are inserted into the CD player for playback as with any common standard CD. 1B, the adapter 10 is shown in a partially folded state for loading or storage. The adapter 10 is in the form of a stack folded in half along the fold line 16 (see FIG. 2).

3, a small CD 18 is placed on the adapter 10 in a stacked form. The CD 18 and adapter 10 can be packaged down in this form of loading or tightly tied together and inserted into a brochure (not shown) and mailed with the wife booklet. As noted above, the diameter of the CD 18 is approximately equal to the diameter of the inner circular surface 12 on the adapter 10. Since the adapter 10 is folded in half to reduce the overall size of the adapter 10, the CD 18 and the adapter 10 can be safely loaded and sold in a small size booklet without any risk of damage to either of them. Can be.

4A and 4B show a cross section of the adapter 10 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1A. First, FIG. 4A shows a cross-section of the adapter 10 fully extended for regeneration. The diameter 'b' of the adapter 10 is approximately equal to the diameter of a 4.75 inch standard CD, for example. The thickness 'a' of the adapter 10 may vary depending on the type of material made and / or the thickness of the CD attached to the adapter 10 and / or the size of the space used in the CD player. The diameter 'c' of the center hole 14 is a size that fits properly on the CD player spindle. The fold line 16 is formed along the diameter of the adapter 10 so that the adapter 10 can be folded in half along the fold line 16.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the CD 18 is attached to the adapter 10, and the fold line 16 remains exposed. The CD 18 is attached so that the read / write side 20 faces in the opposite direction to the adapter 10. Although not shown, the CD 18 may be attached to the face of the adapter 10 with the fold line 16. CDs typically have labels on the opposite side of the read / write side that contain information such as manufacturer name, loading instructions, ownership right, advertisements, etc. It would be desirable to provide the same information on the adapter 10 so that it can still see such information.

5A and 5B show a cross section of another embodiment of the adapter 40. Like adapter 10, diameter 'h' of adapter 40 is approximately equal to that of standard CD (4.75 inches). The adapter 40 also has a center hole 44 and a fold line 46 similar to that of the adapter 10. Unlike the adapter 10, the adapter 40 has a thickness ′ '′ that can sufficiently accommodate a center cut-out 48. The depth 'f' of the cut-out portion 48 is approximately equal to the diameter of the small CD (3.25 inches), and the depth 'f' of the cut-out portion 48 is large enough to hold the CD 18 therein. (See FIG. 5A). The CD 18 may be contained within the cut-out portion 48 by any method such as, for example, interference fitted, adhesive or the like. Of course, like adapter 10, adapter 40 must have a thickness that is less than the thickness that can be inserted into a CD player when combined with CD 18.

6 and 7, yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The adapter 60 consists essentially of the same diameter and fold line 66 as in the previous embodiments. Unlike the previous embodiments, the adapter 60 has a center cut-out 68 approximately the same size as a small CD. The thickness 'x' of the adapter 60 is slightly larger than the thickness of a small CD. The cut-out portion 68 has a first diameter _'w'_ that is approximately equal to the diameter of the small CD and a second diameter _'t'_ which is smaller than the first diameter _'w'_. The adapter 60 may be provided with a removable adhesive strip 62 of various sizes, and since the strip 62 is located across the fold line 66, additional strength to the adapter 60 in the regenerated state. ).

7 shows an adapter 60 with a small CD 18 inserted for playback. Preferably, the adapter 60 is made of a flexible material that can sufficiently accommodate all the deformation of the circumferential wall 64 required when the CD 18 is inserted. If there is a vertical edge on the CD 18, this modification is necessary to fit the CD 18 to the adapter 60. The CD 18 is first located in one half of the adapter 60 as shown in FIG. 7 (see dashed line). The opposite half of the adapter 60 is then folded down along the arrow 67 and fitted into the remaining perimeter of the CD 18 (see solid line). Therefore, once the adapter 60 and the CD 18 are combined, they are almost the same size as the standard CD. Although not shown, the circumferential wall of the adapter 60 can have various shapes and the thickness _'x'_ may be less than or equal to the thickness of the small diameter CD.

8, another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Instead of the fold line for folding in half, the adapter 80 consists of two separate halves separated from each other. The adapter 80 is essentially identical to that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 except that it is necessary to press fitting two halves around the CD. The first half 82 has a male portion 84 and a female portion 86. The second half 88 has a male portion 90 and a female portion 92. When the two halves 82, 88 are joined around the CD, the male portion 84 is coupled to the female portion 92 and the male portion 90 is coupled to the female portion 86. Although not shown, a number of other alternatives may be provided for the male portion 84, 90 and the female portion 86, 92, for example, dowel type pins, and these alternatives may be provided. It can be seen that it still falls within the range of. In addition, the embodiment of FIG. 8 may have a form having an inner circular surface for accommodating a small CD, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, rather than a center cut-out similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

Therefore, the present invention provides a loading / playing adapter capable of playing a small CD in any standard CD player. The adapter described herein protects CDs from damage and allows them to be played on any CD player, while allowing CD game makers to save money by allowing them to load and sell games even if the book is printed at a smaller size. It allows for savings.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made and such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. .

Claims (13)

In the CD player that can play a small CD in a standard CD player and can be loaded in a smaller form than a standard CD with a small CD. A substantially semicircular first portion of a material that can be inserted into a CD player, A second portion of said material, said second portion being the same size as the standard portion and substantially the same semicircular shape as the standard CD, and Means for disposing the first and second portions to load the compact CD, The first and second portions are joined together to form a disc for receiving the small CD and for playing the small CD in the standard CD player, The loading / playback adapter of which the first, second portion and the small CD arranged by the arranging means are smaller in size than a standard CD. The method of claim 1, And an inner circular surface on said first and second portions, said inner circular surface having a size for accommodating said small CD. The method of claim 2, A loading / playback adapter having an adhesive coating for detachably attaching the small CD onto the circular surface. The method of claim 3, wherein And the inner circular surface has an adhesive coating for permanently attaching the small CD on the inner circular surface. The method of claim 1, And a cut-out adapter having a cut-out sized to accommodate the small CD therein. The method of claim 1, And the folding means includes means for detachably coupling the first and second portions to each other along the fold line between the first and second portions by at least one connector set. In a method for enabling the loading and playback of small CDs in a standard CD player, Forming a substantially semicircular first portion of a material that can be inserted in a CD player, Forming a second portion of said suitable material and, when combined with said first portion, substantially the same size as a standard CD and substantially semicircular; and And combining the first and second portions to accommodate the small CD and form a disc for playing the small CD in the standard CD player. The method of claim 7, wherein And permanently mutually coupling the first and second portions along the fold line between the two portions. The method of claim 8, And loading a small CD on the inner circular surfaces of the first and second portions. The method of claim 9, And detachably attaching the small CD with an adhesive on the inner circular surface. The method of claim 9, And permanently attaching the small CD with an adhesive on the inner circular surface. The method of claim 7, wherein And storing the small CD in a cut-out formed to be sized to accommodate the small CD in the first and second portions. The method of claim 7, wherein And removably coupling the first and second portions to each other by at least one connector set.